HAMPTON — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returned to action on Friday night, as they made the drive north on I-35 to take on the Hampton-Dumont-CAL Bulldogs in Class 2A, District 4 action at Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School. Roland-Story entered at 4-2 and 3-0 in district play, while Hampton-Dumont-CAL entered at 3-3 and 2-1 in district play.
Most of the first quarter was quiet, until the Norsemen mounted a drive that was capped by a Cody Long 5-yard touchdown reception at the end of the quarter as Roland-Story took a 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs would answer on their ensuing drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Brody Strother to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-6. The Norsemen would respond late in the 1st half as Colin Willis went to the air again for a 38-yard touchdown pass to Logan Smith as Roland-Story took a 14-7 halftime lead.
Friday’s 2nd half would belong to the Norsemen as went back to the air as Willis found his favorite receiver Luke Thoreson for a 36-yard touchdown pass as Roland-Story added on to their lead at 22-7. Following a Hampton punt early in the 4th quarter, the Norsemen took advantage on a ground heavy drive as Cody Long broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run to put Roland-Story up 29-7, as the Norsemen put the finishing touches on things with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Willis to Aiden Frey as Roland-Story would come away with a 36-7 victory, clinching at least a share of their first district title since 2008.
Norsemen quarterback Colin Willis had perhaps his most efficient night of the season, completing 15/25 passes for 204 yards and 4 touchdowns, as Luke Thoreson caught 6 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Cody Long would have another stellar all-around night with 160 rushing yards and a touchdown, 24 receiving yards and a touchdown, while tallying 3 tackles and a sack on defense.
Roland-Story football returns to action on Friday night when they host the Oelwein Huskies in their Class 2A, District 4 finale at Kerry Van Winkle Field with kickoff at 7 PM.